Inter Miami are still looking for their first win of the MLS season, after a draw on the opening day was followed up by four consecutive defeats, leaving them bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Saturday's visitors to the Lockhart Stadium have not been in much better form heading into this fixture, with New England Revolution aiming to end a four-game losing run across all competitions.
Match preview
© Reuters
Phil Neville's side conceded 53 goals during last year's campaign, and they have continued to show their defensive vulnerabilities this season, having conceded 13 goals in their opening five games.
Despite Gonzalo Higuain halving the deficit to 2-1 by converting his penalty last time out, Miami failed to keep Houston Dynamo at bay and ended up losing 3-1 in that outing.
The hosts on that occasion created more chances than Houston, and recorded just as many shots on target, but not only did their defensive ability let them down, they were not clinical enough in their attacking third.
Neville's team are expected to allow New England to have more possession than themselves, meaning that the home side will have to be efficient with their counter-attacks if they are to end their current losing streak.
New England also do not enter this match in good form, which should be a factor that can boost the confidence of Miami, who can look to use that to their advantage.
© Reuters
On Sunday, the Revolution welcomed New York Red Bulls to the Gillette Stadium, and they were denied a point in the final stages of that game due to Matt Polster's own goal in the 90th minute.
Bruce Arena's side would have felt that they could have put themselves ahead in that game after dominating possession and creating more clear cut chances, but like their hosts this weekend, they failed to be efficient in front of goal.
New England are aiming to record their first away win of the MLS season, and in the reverse to Miami, the visitors can look to take advantage of Miami's poor start to the campaign.
The Revolution have netted six goals compared to Miami's three this season, and they have found attacking threat from more areas of the pitch with seven different players directly contributing to those goals by scoring or providing an assist, while Miami seem to be quite reliant on Higuain.
- D
- L
- L
- L
- L
- D
- W
- L
- L
- L
- W
- W
- L
- L
- L
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Young Inter Miami defender Ian Fray continues to be sidelined due to injury, and the 19-year-old is expected to be absent until October due to a cruciate ligament injury.
Joevin Jones, Ryan Sailor and Victor Ulloa have not made an appearance for Neville's side yet this season due to injury, and they will sit out this weekend but are likely to return to fitness later this month.
Left-back Brek Shea could return to the starting 11 after serving his suspension for a red card he received against Los Angeles FC, meaning that 17-year-old Noah Allen is likely to return to the bench.
A midfield three of Mohammed Adams, Gregore and Jean Mota is certain to remain the same for the hosts, while Ariel Lassiter and Robbie Robinson are expected to come back into the starting 11 to support Higuain in a front three.
New England forward Adam Buksa will start his suspension this weekend after being sent off in the final moments of their match against the Red Bulls, but Justin Rennicks and Jozy Altidore are likely to continue to lead the line anyhow.
Goalkeeper Matt Turner will continue to be absent from New England's squad due to a foot injury, with Brad Knighton expected to retain his place between the posts.
The away side could set up in a 4-1-2-1-2 formation, with Carles Gil supporting the attacking duo, while full-backs DeJuan Jones and Brandon Bye offer support for the wide areas.
Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Marsman; Shea, McVey, Lowe, Yedlin; Adams, Gregore, Mota; Robinson, Higuain, Lassiter
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Knighton; Jones, Kessler, Farrell, Bye; Polster; McNamara, Lletget; Gil; Altidore, Rennicks
We say: Inter Miami 1-1 New England Revolution
With both teams entering this encounter in poor form, priority number one for Miami and the Revolution will be to not lose this game, which is why it is expected to be a tight affair.
New England have shown more promise in the attacking third than Miami so far this season, but the hosts will have home advantage which could help them gain a point this weekend.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a New England Revolution win with a probability of 41.27%. A win for Inter Miami had a probability of 33.22% and a draw had a probability of 25.5%.
The most likely scoreline for a New England Revolution win was 0-1 with a probability of 9.44%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (8.8%) and 0-2 (6.87%). The likeliest Inter Miami win was 1-0 (8.3%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.08%). The actual scoreline of 3-2 was predicted with a 2.4% likelihood.
